There are other threads like this, you must not have searched very hard.
The PT is actually a great starter. It'll smoke the Sunday Cup, Clubman, FF (duh), NA tune races, Turbo races, and Stars & STripes. The main thing you gotta watch for is wheelspin, but you can avoid this by setting TCS on 1. Turn ASM off, tho. It's bad for any car.
The Miata is another great starter.